Clearer device for glue-distributing rolls in labeling-machines.



F. 0. WOODLAND, DECD. FIS. WOODLAND}; A. F. KELLEY. ADMINISTRATORSI CLEABER DEVICE FOR GLUE DISTRIBUTING ROLLS IN LABELING MACHINES.

A APPLICATION FILED OCT/30, I915.

1,200,908. A I Patented 0ct.10,1916.

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UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK O.--WOODLAND, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS; FRANCES S. W'OODLAND AND v ARTHUR F. KELLEY, ADMINISTRATORS OFSAID FRANK O. VVOODLAND, DECEASED, ASSIGNORS 1 TO ECONOMIC MACHINERY COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHU- SETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CLEARER DEVICE FOR (SrLUE-DISTRIBUTINGrv ROLLS IN LABELING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedOct. 10, 1916.

Application filed October 30, 1915. Serial No. 58,804.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK O. lVooDLAND,

.a citizen of the'United States, residing at ing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

I-n' the operation of high speeded, continuously running labeling machines for bottles or the like, it sometimes occurs that parts of labels, or imperfect labels, are in the packs; or labels may become torn so that while the pickers may take such imperfect labels or scraps they may not be delivered to the bottles, but are brought back by the pickers and then adhere to the transfer roll, from which they pass onto the face of the revolving glue-delivering roll, and would naturally then become mingled with the glue supply or wedged under or agalnst the edge of the film-gage, thereby causing more or less onstrate the desirability and utility of a practical safe-guard means for eliminating the objection, and keeping the glue supply clear from obstructions of the nature referred to,

- My present invention relates to a novel construction of a scavenger or clearer means for the glue or gum supply of labeling machines; the objects being to provide a simple, eflicient and convenient appliance for use in connection with the glue reservoir and gluedelivering roll for clearing said roll of fragments of paper or foreign substances, without interfering with the proper and uniform delivery of the gum or glue in the operation of the machine. Also, to provide a comb construction for the purpose specified, that will facilitate the convenient and ready removal of the device for soaking out. or cleansing at any time desired.

Another object is to provide an efficientdentated scavenger or clearer comb, for the purpose stated, of such structure that the normal tendency in its action causes the teeth of the comb to press toward the face of the glue-delivering roll.

I attain these objects by means constructed and combined as more fully hereinafter explained; and illustrated in the drawings; the particular subject matter claimed being definitely set forth in the summary.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents an endview of mechanism embodying my in vention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of my improved clearer comb or scavenger device. Fig. 3 is a half vertical section half front elevation View, showing the glue-boggles delivering roll and comb device; and Fig. A is'a separate cross-section of the clearer comb, at a position between its teeth.

This invention is more especially designed for use in automatic continuously running labeling machines, of the class in which the gum or glue is fed to label-pickers by a transfer-roll that moves from contact with the surface of the revolving glue-delivering roll, and rolls across the faces of the pickers as they approach the label supply holder. An example of one form of labeling machine in such a class. is illustrated and described in the Letters Patent of the United States, Number 1,113,854, heretofore granted me; which patent will more fully show the nature and operation of machines to which my present invention is applicable; although the improved appliance may be employed in some other situations with practical success, and within the scope of my appended claims.

In this specification the term glue is intended to include gum, paste, mucilage or glue-box or reservoir for holding the supply of semi-liquid adhesive; D the glue-deliver 111g roll mounted within the glue-box in usual manner and rotated by any suitable means;

rotation being in the direction indicated by the arrow; and F indicates the transfer roll for taking glue from the surface of the glue delivering roll and spreading it upon the label pickers (not shown) and G indicates the film gage for regulating the amount of glue delivered.

My improved clearer comb is constructed of the peculiar form illustrated, and is located between the film-gage and the position where the delivering-roll enters the mass of glue, or more particularly stated, between the position where the transfer-roll F contacts with the delivery roll D and the normal level of the glue in the glue-box. Said clearer comb essentially comprises an approximately flat body portion 10 provided at each end with members for its support upon the exterior of the glue-box; preferably upwardly arched overhanging earpieces 12 that extend over the end walls 2 of the glue-box, without contact therewith, and have the lower ends of their outer members 3 recessed and supported by trunnions l formed upon the exterior of the glue-box, approximately in axial alinement with each other, parallel with the roll and nearest the back part of the body portion of the comb.

The body 10 of the comb hangs free within the glue-box, and is made approximately horizontal for some distance from the axial line of its hinging', and then curves at 0 and projects upward as a longitudinal flange at an inclination of about fifteen degrees, more or less, from vertical; this upturned edge being formed with a series of sharp or wedge-shaped teeth 5, and intervening recesses 6. The apexes or ends of said teeth rest against or meet the cylindrical face of the glue-delivering roll at a line or position the plane of which is approximately horizontal with the central axis of the cylinder; while the axial line of the supporter or trunnions a is at considerable distance below the level of the axis of the glue-delivering roll.

Holes or open spaces 7 are formed through the body portion 10 of the comb, thereby making a skeletonized structure or cradlelike grill which permits glue to pass through freely while retaining. upon the grill any pieces of paper, labels or foreign matter removed from the surface of the roll.

At the under side of the clearer comb, beneath the teeth, there is preferably provided an integral downwardly projecting lug or boss 8 that terminates near, though normally out of contact with the bottom of the glue-box, but which can contact therewith by a slight springing. of the comb. The purpose of this lug is to prevent too great fiexure of the central part of the comb at the starting of the machine, in the event of the roll D standing idle for awhile, and the glue becoming set to such degree as to sticli the teeth to the'face of the roll, a condition that might occur under the management of a careless operative. The contacting of the lug 8 upon the bottom of the glue-box serves to overcome the undue adhesion and prevent excessive yielding of the comb. A lug 9 is also formed of the back edge of the body to assist in keeping the comb in proper location.

The clearer-comb can be readily removed from the glue-box by simply lifting it from the supporting trunnions; plunging into water for cleaning oif any accumulated matter thereon, and then as readily replaced upon the glue-box. The relation of the axial supports a and the contact line of teeth 5 is such that a preponderance of gravity is at the toothed portion; also the movement of the delivering-roll D and resistance of the glue tend to keep the teeth of the comb close up to the face of the roll to clear it of any scraps of paper or labels caught thereon.

What I claim as of my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A clearer comb for the purpose described, consisting of a longitudinal body provided at one edge with a series of upwardly projecting wedge-shaped teeth, and having at its respective ends means for axial support of the comb at the exterior of a gluebox, the axial line of said supporting means being below and some distance back from the line of contact of the teeth with the surface whereon the comb is used, substantially as set forth.

2. A clearer comb for the purpose set forth, consisting of a skeletonized frame or body portion having an upwardly turned longitudinal flange provided along its edge with a series of recesses and upstanding clearer teeth, said body having at its ends upwardly arched overhanging supporting ears, the extremities of which are adapted for removal engagement with supporting trunnions upon the ends of the glue-box.

3. In a labeling machine, the combination with the glue-box and rotating glue-delivering roll; of a clearer comb having a series of wedge-like teeth that lie against the face of the roll, said comb being supported by trunnions or bearings at the ends of the glue-box, said trunnions axially located in such relation to the contact line of the teeth that the motion of the roll and resistance of the glue tends to force the teeth lightly against the surface of the roll.

a In a mechanism of the character described, in combination with the glue-box, glue-delivering roll, film-gage, and transferroll that moves to and from the face of said delivery-roll; a clearer device consisting of a skeletonized body having along its front an upwardly projecting flange, the top edge of which is formed for scraping contact with the face of the glue-delivering roll, said body provided at its ends with earmembers alined with the back portion of said body, and adapted for resting upon supporter members formed on the ends of the glue-box, said clearer arranged to act against the face of said glue-delivery-roll at a position above the line of said supports, but between the contacting position of said transfer-roll and the normal level of the glue contents within theglue-box.

5. In a mechanism of the character described, in combination with a glue-box, and a rotating glue-distributing roll therein; a clearer comb consisting of a skeleton body having end-supporting ears, and a series of upwardly projecting teeth, the ends of said teeth adapted to rest closely against the face of said distributing roll, end-supporting ears that engage trunnions on the glue-box; said comb provided with an intermedial downwardly projecting lug or boss normally out of contact with the bottom of the glue-box, but adapted to contact therewith in the event of a downward springing of the comb.

6. In an automatic continuously operating labeling machine for bottles or the like, the combination with the glue-supply reservoir,

the rotating glue-delivering roll therein, and the transfer roll that moves to and from contact with tthe face of said deliveringroll; of a. scavenger device disposed succeedent to the contacting position of the transfer roll and between the glue-delivering roll and front of the reservoir, and having a series of edged teeth that rest against the face of said delivering roll, and means for removably supporting said scavenger device upon the reservoir in such relation that preponderant gravity in the scavenger device tends to keep its teeth against the face of said glue-delivering roll.

Signed this twenty-fifth day of October, 1915.

FRANK O. WOODLAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by sddressing the "Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

